Hpw tipsy are backhoe loaders? Cat 426b

[Alexp08]

My father just bought a cay 426b for his land. Ive had some down time so ive been running it. My main question is how tipsy are these buggers? The land is generally flat but the issues I'm running into is that there are stumps that are covered by dirt so you can see them, theu stick up maybe 6 inch. Also the ground is soft in random locations so you'll sink one side and the other Will not. Ive never ran a backhoe so when I'm sitting up so high it just seems like I'm going to tip at the slightest uneven surface.

Any tips are welcomed. Thanks!

 

[jenkinsph]

Keep the travel speed low and get some seat time. Be careful where you dig and get a locate ticket. Good luck with it.

 

[dsgsr]

Keep the FEL (front end loader) low while traveling, go slow. don't lift the FEL above the hood unless on flat ground. you will have to get used to the machine to know where the tipping point is, They are not as tippy as you might think. You can always swing the hoe to the up-hill side if you think it's to steep.

David

 

[Piston]

We have a JD 410b and I always notice that it seems very unstable on anything but flat ground. I am curious if it's possible the sidewalks on the rear tires are just "gone"? It seems to move around a lot, as if the rear of the tractor is skidding around but the tires are planted. Sort of a strange feeling to describe.

 

[sweettractors]

My father just bought a cay 426b for his land. Ive had some down time so ive been running it. My main question is how tipsy are these buggers? The land is generally flat but the issues I'm running into is that there are stumps that are covered by dirt so you can see them, theu stick up maybe 6 inch. Also the ground is soft in random locations so you'll sink one side and the other Will not. Ive never ran a backhoe so when I'm sitting up so high it just seems like I'm going to tip at the slightest uneven surface.

Any tips are welcomed. Thanks!

Keep the front bucket low and use the hoe as a counterweight as needed is good advice. The only time I have felt uncomfortable operating equipment was running a backhoe on a 20+ degree slope. Keep your mind on your business while operating. Ken Sweet

 

[LD1]

They are more stable than you think.

Driving one rear tire over a 6" stump.....no problem at all. Even if the other rear sinks in 6", thats only about 12" difference side to side over a ~80" width. Which is less than a 10 degree angle.

And if on a slope (where there is no stumps to snag) and you think its iffy, you can keep the outriggers low as well.

 

[Deezl Smoke]

Good for you to be observant enough to notice. Many people do not and end up under one at some point.
Yes, they are more tipsy than a tractor with out back hoe. But what is causing the feeling of being unstable is the inertia of the back hoe weight once set in motion. So if you drop into a 6" hole on one side, the hoe will begin to move toward that side, then when the tire begins to climb up the other end of the hole, the back hoe is still in motion and it tends to load the tire heavily for a split moment. IMO

 

[EddieWalker]

In my experience with my New Holland 555E, the pucker factor kicks in long before you are in any actual danger. Like others have said, keep the front bucket low and your speed down and you should be fine. Most of my issues happen when digging and I get into a situation where I have to get out of where I've been working. I can't count the number of times I've had my outriggers inches off of the ground to act as training wheels in case the angle gets to be too much. So far, I've been more scared then in actual danger of tipping.

 

[redman135]

Piston, it sounds like your rear tyres are too soft. Look on the side wall of the tyre, and you should find some writing stating the max pressure. Compare this with the actual pressure. After that you can increase the pressure until you are satisfied with the stability.More air means more stability and a harder ride. NOTE if the tyres are "loaded", then you must rotate the tyre so the valve stem is at the top of the rim then let the last drip out of the valve. Then you can take the pressure reading accuratly AND with out rusting up the guts of your pressure gauge. Most people forget this.
good luck

 

[coldsteelva]

When operating the 'hoe on uneven ground (not driving), I will lower the engine RPMs to slow the hydraulic flow so I have time to recognize if I'm getting myself into trouble. At higher throttle levels, the hydraulics can overcome the weight of the tractor in short order and throw the whole thing around if you're not careful.

Practice, practice, practice. There is no substitute for seat time in a new piece of equipment.